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Romney takes down Tenn. congressman's endorsement

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney appears to have taken down an endorsement from U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais of Tennessee in the wake of reports that DesJarlais discussed an abortion with a pregnant

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney appears to have taken down an endorsement from U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais of Tennessee in the wake of reports that DesJarlais discussed an abortion with a pregnant patient with whom he'd had an affair.

Access has been blocked to a May 29 post on Romney's campaign website that quotes Romney as saying he's "very proud to have the support of such a principled and independent conservative as Scott DesJarlais." But a link to the statement remained on DesJarlais' campaign website this morning, and a cached version of the statement can still be found online.

A spokesman for Romney did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the posting's removal.

Romney goes on to say that DesJarlais "has been a real leader for balancing the budget, lowering taxes, and scaling back the size of government."

"I look forward to working with Scott to spread that kind of conservative message across the Volunteer State as we work to restore America's promise," Romney's statement concludes.

DesJarlais also offers his endorsement of Romney.

"I have said on numerous occasions that this election will be one of the most important in our nation's history. We face substantial economic obstacles that require the bold leadership and credible solutions that President Obama simply has not provided," said Congressman DesJarlais. "Mitt Romney has the proven experience of creating jobs and balancing budgets. His commitment to lowering taxes, reducing spending, and reforming runaway entitlements is exactly the type of vision needed in the White House."

The statement does not mention either candidate's stance on abortion. Both describe themselves as "pro-life" but DesJarlais has avoided answering specific questions about his beliefs. Romney ran as a "pro-choice" candidate in Massachusetts before changing his stance.

DesJarlais purportedly urged an unnamed woman to find a "solution" so that he would not have to inform his wife that she was pregnant, the Huffington Post said Wednesday, citing a transcript of a telephone conversation that the website had obtained.

DesJarlais also asked the woman for proof that he was the father and urged her to make a decision quickly as to whether to keep the child.

"You told me you'd have an abortion, and now we're getting to(o) far along without one," DesJarlais says, according to the transcript.

DesJarlais was elected two years ago as part of the tea party wave, defeating Democratic Rep. Lincoln Davis.